Campaigners fear a plan to build more than fifty homes on land near Calderstones Park could lead to more green spaces being targeted for development.

Redrow will find out later this month if its controversial plan to build 51 new houses on part of the Harthill Estate will be given the go ahead by the council’s planning committee.

The Friends of Harthill & Calderstones Park group – who are being supported by the city’s Green and Liberal Democrat groups - claim to have proof that the land is part of Calderstones Park – something which the council disputes.

Redrow plan for land of Harthill Road, near Calderstones Park, Liverpool

Group member David Brice said deeds he was shown after submitting a Freedom of Information request to the council show that the land has always been part of the park.

Fellow group member Caroline Williams said: “The council has told us they have documentary proof that Harthill is not part of the park, but they haven’t shown us that proof.

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Ms Williams suggested a green light for the Harthill plan could set a dangerous precedent for other green spaces in the city.

She said: “If a piece of Calderstones green wedge gets built on, Allerton Priory could go the same way at the planning appeal.

“This could result in a stack of cards coming down as the vultures come in and pick off all of our pieces of land.”

The campaigners are trying to get Village Green status for parts of the land in a bid to stop any building.

As part of the Harthill scheme, the council has said charities and community groups operating in the area – including Beechley Riding Stables, Calderkids playground and the Calderstones Miniature Railway – are being offered new and improved facilities elsewhere.

Merseyside Live Steam and Model Engineers club, which runs the railway, has welcomed plans to move it to a more central site which, they said will allow them to grow.

Responding to the campaigners Mayor Joe Anderson said: “The land is not in the park. The Calderkids building is falling down and they need new facilities so that is what we are doing.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“Beechley stables as well, we are moving them to a good facility – and the railway are happy too.

“Everyone is happy except the Liberal Democrats and the Greens who want to turn this into a political issue.”

But Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Richard Kemp said: “I can tell Joe Anderson that if he spoke with 100 people living within a quarter of a mile of this site, 95 of them would say they don’t want it to happen.

“So for him to suggest that this is just a few cranks is insulting and I would challenge the Mayor to come to a public meeting with me in this area.”

Gareth Stansfield, senior development manager for Redrow, said: “This land is adjacent to the park, rather than in the park itself, and comprises the former Harthill Road council maintenance depot and other land currently in private use with no access by the general public other than by invitation.

“ Liverpool City Council has been working with the current users of the land, Calder Kids, the model railway and Beechley Stables, to secure better facilities.

“The money generated from Redrow purchasing this land will allow the council to provide improved and more suitable accommodation for these users, whilst also delivering much needed new homes, both for private sale in this location and affordable housing elsewhere in the city. It will also contribute to improvements in the park itself.”

The Harthill application is due to be heard at a planning committee meeting on February 14.